Sumo-e, Ukiyo-e prints of Sumo Wrestler "Otoyama Osuke" in Ceremonial Apron

From the Edo period through the Meiji period, ukiyoe print (called ""nishikie"") which was introduced a technique of polychrome into were popular. The nishikie print was preferred to the people of that time as a news medium and as collection picture of the actor and athlete. There were many motifs to the nishikie print, such as a Kabuki actor, a beautiful woman, the scenery. Sumoe depicts a figure and the action of the popular sumo wrestler, was popular with the then common people.　The sumo wrestler drawn on this picture is Otokoyama Osuke. He was from current Ogawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama. He died in front of the first sumo ring in 1877.